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Friday Safety Tip - Crime Prevention and Awareness

The prompt reporting of crime is extremely important for the quick resolution of any crime. If you are a victim of crime or a witness to crime your immediate call to 911 will increase the chances for a successful resolution of the incident.

If you have been a victim of a crime, here are some steps that you can take to assist the University Police Department in resolving the incident and bring it to a successful conclusion. For an investigation to be successful our agency would like your help in identifying evidence, witnesses, suspects, serial numbers or identifying marks on property lost, or any other information that you may have.

Serial numbers or identifying markings are vitally important for the recovery of stolen property. Stolen items can be recovered through pawn shops, police arrests, or by inquiry through the National Crime Information Computer. This only works if you have the serial numbers of your property recorded. Take the time to write down or otherwise record all serial numbers and keep them in a place separate from your property. Inventory forms are available at the University Police Department.

Often the victim of a crime may obtain or encounter information that might be helpful to an investigation after the crime has been reported to the police. Such information may include new witnesses, values of property, additional victims, etc. Moreover, a frequent problem in theft cases involves the victim not reporting stolen property he or she may have recovered at some later date. This is essential if the property's ownership is ever transferred or later discovered by police in an unrelated incident. If you have additional information on the incident contact your investigating officer at (509) 963-2959. If you are calling after 5:00 p.m, or on the weekends, you can contact the investigating officer at (509) 925-8534, our dispatch center.

We often coordinate our criminal investigations with other law enforcement agencies. If the offense took place on campus, it will not be necessary for you to also report it to another law enforcement agency. If you are still not sure, ask the investigating officer. When our investigation is complete we will need your continued cooperation. You may be required to identify the property and it may be necessary us to hold it as evidence until conclusion of the investigation or criminal prosecution. We will assist and accompany you in every step of the criminal justice system.

If you need further assistance or additional information, contact the University Police Department at (509) 963-2959 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After hours you may call KITTCOM communications at (509) 925-8534.